Wines

From 7 parcels in Chassagne Lieux-dits: “La Canière”, “La Chêne”, “Les Benoîtes”, “Le Pot Bois”, “En Journoblot”, 30+ year old vines, Ambient yeast fermentation and agING in 350L barrels (20% new) for 12 months + 6 months in stainless steel.

A jewel of a wine, selected from various estate parcels in the appellation that represent a perfect cross-section of Chassagne’s noble terroir. Ripe summer raspberries, poached cherries, baking spices; rubied fruit, suave tannins.

The greatest Villages vineyard in Chassagne? Look no further than Blanchots Dessous, not to be confused with the 1er Cru Blanchots Dessus (no 'o') higher up the hill. This vineyard lies kitty corner to Montrachet itself and is next door to Criots Batard Montrachet! The 2021 from this tiny domaine is a thrilling wine, packed with intense fruit flavors and the nervous energy of this vivid vintage. Yields were down to early frosts so this is a seriously limited gem from the best vintage for white Burgundy since 2014...

François has two impressive plots in the renowned 1er Cru Les Vergers, one which was planted in 1987, and the other was planted in the 1950s. Both plots are located in the northwest corner of the Cru, totaling 0.46 ha, and border the 1er Cru sites of “Les Chaumées” and “Clos Saint-Jean.” Lequin’s Vergers is his most taut, vertical wine in the Premier Cru range; marked more by structure and acidity than fullness and creaminess. The Domaine Lequin Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Vergers 2023 was aged for 12 months in French oak (20% new) followed by 3 months in stainless steel to harmonize.

From a family that has farmed Burgundy since 1679, Francois Lequin's Les Vergers comes from two prized plots (one planted in the 1950s) in the northwest corner of this renowned 1er Cru, bordering Les Chaumees and Clos Saint-Jean. It is the most taut, vertical wine in his Premier Cru range: racy and mineral-driven, built on structure and vibrant acidity rather than fat and cream. The cool 2024 vintage plays right into that style, echoing the profound whites of 2014 and 2021. Aged 12 months in French oak (20% new) plus 3 months in stainless steel to harmonize. Organic farming since 2009. Top-flight Chassagne 1er Cru Blanc at this price is nearly impossible to find, and quantities are tiny.

There are 19 climats which make up Morgeot and François’ rows are in “Tête du Clos” and “Les Grands Clos,” directly in the mid-slope and center of Morgeot. His rows in “Les Grands Clos” are directly opposite the Abbey ruins, across the small vineyard street, in the climat “Morgeot.” The vines in “Tête du Clos” were planted in 1971 and the vines in “Les Grands Clos” were planted in 1987. The Domaine Lequin Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot 2023 is spicier than Lequin’s Vergers and it has a broader palate as well. It displays a velvety texture and impressive length. This wine was aged 12 months in French oak (10% new) also followed by 3 months in stainless steel prior to bottling.

Francois Lequin's rows sit dead-center in Morgeot's mid-slope, in the climats Tete du Clos (vines planted 1971) and Les Grands Clos (planted 1987), directly across from the old Abbey ruins. Spicier and broader than his Les Vergers, this is the richer of the pair: velvety in texture with impressive length, yet carried by the racy, mineral spine of the cool 2024 vintage, a year shaping up like the brilliant whites of 2014 and 2021. Aged 12 months in French oak (10% new) plus 3 months in stainless steel before bottling. Organic farming since 2009, from a family making wine in Burgundy since 1679. Chassagne 1er Cru Blanc of this caliber under $100 is a vanishing breed.

From a parcel of one-third of a hectare in the heart of Chassagne on the eastern side. The vines are 45 years old and they sit with an east-southeast exposure. The cuvaison is about two weeks long and the élevage lasts for 15 to 18 months. Very little new oak is used. This is an assertive wine with strong scents and flavors that tend to the “sous bois” and leather/animal; powerful with a solid backbone of tannins; a humble, honest and satisfying wine.

This minuscule vineyard (0.064 hectare) was formerly known as Montrachet’s Feet, as it links the Criots-Montrachet and Montrachet Grand Crus, explaining its strong connection to the Montrachet vineyard before the Grand Cru's current borders were finalized in 1921. Planted in 1981 by Thibault’s grandfather Ferdinand Coffinet. Aged in oak barrels, 35% new.

Vines were planted in 1959. The parcel is surrounded on two sides by Chevalier-Montrachet; beneath the parcel of Murgers Dent de Chien. Aged in oak barrels, 30% new.